Tae Takemi stared at the clock. She hoped dearly that it would skip forward an hour, just to have the excuse that she was closed. But no, it steadily ticked on, uncaring of the cruel fate that awaited her.

Was this her punishment for not being a believer? That God would send His most annoying apostle to her? Every. Single. Day! For a week straight! Tae was starting to believe that it had to be, because what else would have him popping up with his strange requests?

"Why yes, I do need twelve bottles of aspirin! Why? For…reasons."

"Vicks Vapor Rub fixes everything! I snapped my ankle the other day, and I rubbed some on and it was good as new!"

"Oh, where'd my bruises go? I just swallowed a bead. Anyway, can I get some burn cream?"

Steadily raising her coffee cup to her lips, she took a few sips of it. Coffee could cure anything. Cold, sleep, nerves. It was her favorite drink for that reason alone, because despite what people thought of her, Tae was a professional.

Yet sometimes, she desperately wished she wasn't, because here he was again, back at her clinic at ten till closing. Drenched in water from the rain outside, he tracked it in, looking like a wet cat with his black hair matted down. "Hey doc! How're you doing today?"

"I was doing pretty good." Tae said. Would he please take the hint?!

"Well, I hope you still are, cause guess what?" He smirked at her, pointing at himself with both thumbs. "I got you something!"

"Oh…goody." Tae leaned forward on the countertop. She wouldn't say she was eager to see what he'd got her, because she wasn't. More morbidly curious than anything. Would it be some cheesy shirt with a scripture quote on it? Or maybe a Jesus doll? Or a matching cross necklace?

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome!" He pulled the item from his side bag and it was…a black coffee cup. She squinted a little and saw the words "God renew my energy when I am tired Psalm 103:5". This…was one of the cheesiest gifts she'd ever gotten. "See, I knew you liked coffee, so I got you this mug! Figured you'd really like it!"

"Thanks. You're really…thoughtful." Tae said. He handed her the mug over the counter. When he wasn't looking, she was going to store it somewhere and forget about it because even holding it made her feel a little embarrassed.

"Glad you like it!" Akira grinned. "I just wanted to thank you for what you've been doing. I know that showing up so late isn't exactly…uh…ideal, for you, but it means a lot that you let me in anyway." He fumbled in his side bag, pulling out a card. "And here's the time for the sermons. I go to the earliest one at eight o'clock on Sunday, so if you ever want to come with me, you can hop on my motorcycle and we can go together."

"You have a motorcycle?" Tae asked. Every single time he opened his mouth, she just had more questions. And if she was honest with herself, Tae was kind of afraid what the answer would be, because she'd know it would have her scratching her head.

"Oh yeah, got my license before I came to Tokyo." Akira said. "Got a 1969 Honda CB750 for under 10k! It was quite the steal if I say so myself…and I do! Sure, I had to replace a few parts, but it rides really good now!" He rubbed his hands together. "Plus, it's a nice cherry red too! Looks totally badass! I-I mean, totally cool. Sorry, I shouldn't swear."

"You're a teenager. Swearing is something you should do." Tae took a sip of her coffee, fighting off the incoming headache that came with trying to understand this strange Akira creature.

"Maybe others do, but they are in love with the ways of this world, not with the fullness of God. And why should I let out such foul words, when I could use loving ones instead? Build people up, instead of breaking them down!" Akira's smile brightened. "I love doing that y'know! Makes me feel great! And speaking of great, my invitation to the Sunday Sermon is still open!"

"I'm busy." Tae replied. The same words she gave him time and again, and yet he didn't seem to understand that she was blowing him off. Like a cat, he just kept nuzzling her arm until she finally relented and pet him.

It was annoying…and a little endearing.

"I understand, it's just…well whenever I walk in, you look kind of lonely, y'know." Akira said. "And if you aren't up to it, we could always just study the Bible together! It's a really good book, with a lot of great teachings in it and-"

"Akira, I said I'm fine." Tae eyed the clock behind him. It was only five minutes past closing time, and it had already felt like an hour had passed.

"Alright. If you change your mind…well, I swing by here every day anyway, so you can just tell me when I come in." Akira opened the door, about to step out, before he turned to look back at her. "See you later Doc!"

And with the close of the door came blessed silence. Staring down at the scripture mug, a small smile crept onto her face. Cheesy and embarrassing as it was, it really was a thoughtful gift. And the only gift she'd received in years.

That prick Oyamada had ruined her reputation so thoroughly that no one wanted to be associated with "The Plague".

Except one stubborn brat.

A small smile slipped on Tae's face as she went to go make her last cup of instant before she locked up the clinic.

And as she left, she held the scripture mug in her hands, filled to the brim with piping hot coffee.

xXx

Akira had only really heard of Hell in the abstract, the Bible being a bit confusing on what it was. Was it Sheol, where the dead simply rested until the return of the Messiah? Was it a place of darkness and torment like in the New Testament? Or was it something like the Divine Comedy, with various levels of torture and misery?

Such morbid thoughts shouldn't dwell in the mind of a believer, but as Akira traveled through Mementos on the back of his motorcycle, he wondered if the pitch black hallways and the pulsating veins along the wall was the closest thing he'd ever see to Hell.

The fact that it was filled with hulking monsters known as shadows that ended up splitting into demons really didn't help.

But he wasn't about to let that get him down! God had given him a mission and who was he to deny the calling of the Almighty? The story of Jonah and the Whale spelt out what happened to those who denied the Divine, and Akira Kusuru would not be one of them!

"GRAND THEFT AUTO!" He yelled as he slammed his motorcycle into one of the shadows, his tires grinding it to pieces before it could even turn into a demon. "Hey this is actually kind of fun!"

But fun would have to wait! Man had strayed from God's vision, which was terrible, but lucky for them, Akira Kurusu was on the case! And while he'd helped dozens of people see God's wisdom already, he knew that there was one woman who really needed him!

Parking his bike just outside the swirling red vortex, Akira was greeted by the sight of Tae Takemi, her eyes golden and filled with a deep sadness. Now that just wouldn't do!

Akira smiled. Air shimmered behind him as his hulking persona came into existence, easily dwarfing him in size as it's bulging muscles held onto a gigantic spear. The expression of his soul was a bit scary looking to be sure, but God had promised him he could help so many people with it!

And he would!

""Don't worry Doc! I'm here to build you up!"

AN: And as always, part 2 is up! I'm thinking of doing the whole Tae Takemi route as a freebie that'll be posted when it comes up, and then doing the other routes much like I do my others fics (3 chapters ahead) on my p-a-t-r-e-o-n! So rejoice, for the Lord sayeth that more Tae Takemi content is incoming! :D

If you want to look me up, it's Halo3vsloz Emporium!